Exceptional and unique

Rating: 10/10 (16 April 2005)

Despite the excessive violence, particularly in the last third of the film, it is extraordinary storytelling and masterful direction, especially Danny Boyle's ( Trainspotting ) use of music to convey moods and tension in the scene, the film never ceases to amaze or thrill for a single frame. The opening 10 minutes I will never forget.
The all-UK cast is equally brilliant. Cillian Murphy ( Girl with the Pearl Earring ) is perfect as Jim, the bewildered, confounded and scared young man who wakes up, naked in an abandoned hospital bed 28 days after a viral attack in London, promulgated by an animal rights group who released contaminated monkeys from a research lab. Brendan Gleeson as Frank whose left to take care of his teen daughter after his wife is killed in the attack is wonderfully frightened and stoic.
Christopher Eccleston as the commander of a renegade military outfit who actually started the attack but claimed to have " the answer to infection ", Naomie Harris and Noah Huntley are wonderful in supporting roles. The film is, at times, funny, sad, scary and thoughtful all the while being clever and unique.
Those who are squeamish about blood and gore will not like this film. But, those of us, including me, who can suspend reality and forgive the gratuitous nature of the content, will be fascinated by this captivating movie.